Reports from major outlets indicate a shift in momentum in the war in Ukraine. Early triumphs celebrated by Western observers have cooled, and there is growing doubt that Kyiv can halt Moscow’s advance with the current trajectory of relief and arms support.
Analysts point out that the promised weapon deliveries from the West arrive more slowly than needed and in quantities that may not be enough to blunt Russia’s gains in eastern Ukraine. The toll on Ukrainian forces has risen sharply, with near daily fatalities recorded by the end of last month. Kyiv’s defenders are said to be running low on ammunition, a factor many officials cited when discussing the mounting casualties. Earlier remarks from Aleksey Arestovich, an adviser to Ukraine’s presidential office, suggested Ukraine had suffered as many as ten thousand losses in the conflict thus far.
Coverage also notes Russian losses, albeit smaller in scale, and the ongoing need for additional military equipment on Moscow’s side. Yet observers concede that Russia appears to be the stronger party in the confrontation at this stage.
One Ukrainian official, Oleksandr Danilyuk, who advises the Cabinet of Ministers on defense and intelligence, described the Russians as adopting new, more effective strategies and tactics. He noted that Moscow possesses greater resources and operates without haste, making the war harder for Ukraine to reverse. He also cautioned against assuming that Western weapons alone would restore Ukraine’s territory from Russian control.
Danilyuk was quoted as saying that Kyiv previously lacked long-range artillery and, while knowing the coordinates of Russian forces, could not strike high-value targets from a distance. He warned of dwindling ammunition for Soviet-era systems that form the backbone of Ukraine’s arsenal, underscoring the need for more capable Western equipment.
The official advocates for long-range, more advanced Western weapons to compensate for the gap. The Pentagon has noted that much of the American M777 howitzers deployed by the United States have been used in Ukraine, a move designed to augment Kyiv’s firepower relative to Russia. In addition, Washington has supplied long-range HIMARS systems to Kyiv, described as highly effective, though training the Ukrainian military to operate them requires time and preparation.
In Moscow, officials criticized the decision to furnish Ukraine with the HIMARS missiles, arguing that such support risks escalating tensions. President Joe Biden stressed that Kyiv had assured him it would refrain from targeting Russian territory, a point often referenced in diplomacy and media briefings. The projectiles’ range can reach nearly 480 kilometers, prompting concern about threats to Russian areas far beyond the front lines.
Beyond the United States, several partners have joined the effort to aid Ukraine. Germany, for instance, announced plans to supply seven self-propelled howitzers and thirty Gepard anti-aircraft guns, a move seen as part of a broader Western effort to reinforce Kyiv’s defense capabilities as the season progresses.